Pupils enjoy author’s advice

SHEFFIELD-based author Ellie Phillips led a writing workshop at a city school, encouraging pupils to come up with a ‘killer opening line’.

She began the session at Sheffield High School by showing off famous opening lines from literature, from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to George Orwell’s novel, 1984.

Ellie then asked the pupils to work in groups to discuss the plots for their own work and come up with their own opening words.

A lively session ended with Ellie signing copies of her first book - Dads, Geeks and Blue Haired Freaks - and posing for photos. Ellie is now working on a sequel, provisionally called Scissors, Sisters And Manic Panics and also a book for younger children.